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The best kept secret in music
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http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ItDoesntMatter.asp
Oregon-based quintet Sword 7 is a fairly new group to the Christian rock / worship underground. Although founding member Travis Soverns started the group some five years ago, the band has undergone many changes before becoming Sword 7. Their debut, It Doesn't Matter is a well-written and well-played independent project. While production quality varies slightly from song to song, with an echo effect on the vocals that gives the album more of an arena rock, light metal feel at times, Sword 7's true charm and strength lies in its vocalist Kayla Plumb. While Soverns offers vocals from time to time on the tracks, he doesn't quite have the range or versatility to carry the songs like Plumb does. But It Doesn't Matter is a stepping stone for this young band. With some tighter production and direction, Sword 7 could certainly go places. The fact the band has written ten of the thirteen tracks is a strong point as well as the fact they avoid taking the easier route of grabbing the audience's attention through popular covers.
With a lot of young bands coming and going, Sword 7's attempt to stand out from the norm is noticeable and distinct. With a greater focus on Plumb's tender vocals and further exploration of her abilities to help fine-tune the band's sound and strengths, It Doesn't Matter could be a project to look back on in a few years as the start of something great. - John DiBiase
Discography
It Doesn't Matter (2004)
2007 EP
Looking Forward Music Video (2007)
"Better Days" on Revival FM in Scotland (2007)
-PAST SHOWS-
-Springfield, OR. City of Destiny Church 09-14-07
-Roseburg, OR. Promotional @ day for grace 07-29-07
-Lincoln City, OR. Taft High School 07-21(&22)-07
-Blachly, OR. Triangle Lake 06-16-07
-Eugene, OR. Community of Christ 04-21-07
-Noti, OR. Grace Fellowship 02-24-07
-Brownsville, OR. Recreational Center 02-23-07
-Elmira, OR. (Camus Life) Fern Ridge Faith Center 02-20-07
-Florence, OR. Florence Christian Church 01-19-07
-Eugene, OR. Early Rise Cafe (acoustic) 11-30-06
-Eugene, OR. Northwest Christian College 11-17-06
-Springfield, OR. (Free Reign) Centennial Christian Center 11-10-06
-Albany, OR. Living Water Christian Assembly 11-03-06
-Warren, OR. Warren Community Fellowship 09-27-06
-Philomath, OR. First Baptist 09-16-06
-Albany, OR. (The Edge) Living Water Christian Assembly 08-11-06
-Eugene, OR. Living Hope Christian Church 08-09-06
-Eugene, OR. (Television Broadcast) Destiny Church 08-06-06
-Molalla, OR. Molalla Assembly of God 08-05-06
-Cottage Grove, OR. Grove Christian Camp 08-01-06
-Florence, OR. Miller Park 07-22-06
-Eugene, OR. (Redemption Rocks Concerts) Amazon Park 07-15-06
-Glide, OR. (4th of July Festival) Glide Middle School 07-04-06
-Veneta, OR. (Graduation Party) Olivet Baptist Church 06-09-06
-Federal Way, WA. (Big Splash) Six flags theme park 05-20-06
-Vancouver, WA. Grace Point Church 05-13-06
-Springfield, OR. Centennial Christian Church 05-05-06 *Nik Fury CD release party
-Elmira, OR. Elmira Church of Christ 04-30-06
-Eugene, OR. Java Lounge 04-22-06 *All acoustic show
-Cottage Grove, OR. (Heirborn) His Church 04-08-06
-Eugene, OR. Willamette Bible Chapel 03-03-06
-Eugene, OR. Neighborhood Assembly of God 01-25-06
-Springfield, OR. (Free Reign) Centennial Christian Church 12-09-05
-Bend, OR. First Baptist Church 11-18-05
-Elmira, OR. Open Bible Church 11-04-05
-Veneta, OR. (Holy Grounds) Methodist Church 10-08-05
-Cottage Grove, OR. (Youth For Christ) Cottage Grove High School 09-30-05
-Salem, OR. Corban College 09-21-05
-Warren, OR. Warren Community Fellowship 09-20-05
-Eugene, OR. Chapel of Praise 09-16-05
-Springfield, OR. Island Park 08-27-05
-Portland, OR. Sunnyside Four Square 08-13-05
-Florence, OR. Extreme Tour 08-04-05
-Brookings, OR. Extreme Tour 08-02-05 - 08-03-05
-Veneta, OR. Safety on Wheels Community Celebration 07-30-05
-Drain, OR. Pentecostal Church of God Camp 07-25-05 - 07-28-05
-Coburg, OR. Golden Years Celebration Main Stage 07-15-05
-South Lake Tahoe, CA. Sierra Pines Camp 07-03-05 - 07-09-05
-Cottage Grove, OR. Grove Christian Camp 06-21-05
-American Falls, ID. Ignite For Christ Music Festival 06-18-05 - 06-19-05
-Eugene, OR. (Lam Productions) Eugene Christian Fellowship 05-23-05
-Eugene, OR. (Redemption Rocks Concerts) Camp Harlow 05-07-05
-Eugene, OR. First Baptist Church 05-01-05
-Junction City, OR. First Nazarene Church 03-09-05
-Eugene, OR. Hosanna Christian Fellowship 02-25-05
-Seattle, WA. Horizon Foursquare Church 02-12-05
-Auburn, WA. Camp Berachah 02-11-05
-Warren, OR. Warren Community Fellowship 01-26-05
-Portland, OR. Sunnyside Four Square 11-12-04
-Eugene, OR. Santa Clara Church of Christ 11-09-04
-Lebanon, OR. The Garage Lebanon First Assembly Of God 10-23-04
-Veneta, OR. (Holy Grounds) Methodist Church 10-16-04 *CD Release Party
-Veneta, OR. West Lane Shopping Center 10-02-04
-Lebanon, OR. Lebanon First Baptist 06-25-04
-Eugene, OR. Eugene Christian Fellowship 06-23-04
-RECORDING STUDIO (Marcel Shaal) Pacific Quest Group (March-August)[21-8 hour days]
-Eugene, OR. Hosea Youth Service 03-14-04
-Elmira, OR. Elmira Church of Christ 02-29-04
-Eugene, OR. SantaClara Church of Christ 01-25-04
-Lebanon, OR. Jacob’s Well Coffee House 01-17-04
-Junction City, OR. Christ Center 12-28-03
-Portland, OR. Sunnyside Four Square 11-21-03
-Lebanon, OR. (The Garage) Lebanon First Assembly Of God 10-25-03
-Veneta, OR. Methodist Church 10-18-03
-Esticada, OR. The Cone 09-26-03
-Junction City, OR. The JC Music Festival 08-23-03
-Florence, OR. Church On The Rock 08-10-03
-Albany, OR. Valley Christian 07-30-03
-Salem, OR. (Freedom Productions) Middle School 07-04-03
-Salem, OR. (Freedom Productions) Middle School 06-27-03
-Junction City, OR. Kings Grace Church 06-21-03
-Elmira, OR. Campus Life Christmas Bash 12-17-02
-Eugene, OR. Fairfield Baptist Church 04-13-02
-Elmira, OR. Fern Ridge Faith Center 06-01-01
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The band started in spring 1999 about a year after Travis Soverns (Guitar, Lead Vocals, Keyboards) and Skyeler Lewkowicz (Bass) met in the 8th grade. After proposing starting a band, Soverns, self taught himself how to play the guitar and Lewkowicz the bass. Determination, like that of Soverns and Lewkowicz, have been fueling the band ever since.
Josiah Pleaurd (Drums) prayed at night that he could be in a band, a country band. “I don’t know what happened. I like rock music, but country touches a special place in my heart.”
Meanwhile friend and roommate Ryan Dasso (Guitar, Vocals), who came into the band through Josiah, entered under one condition, “As long as you don’t play any hee-haw music I’ll join.”
Some clicks exist within Sword 7. Each member says they have a special bond with each other, but two main clicks have formed.
Guitarists (Soverns, Dasso) and percussionists (Pleaurd, Lewkowicz) stick together when writing new songs. “Everyone knows songs sound better when you follow us,” says Lewkowicz.
Country music (Soverns, Pleaurd) and anti-country (Dasso, Lewkowicz). “Picture this: Josiah and I are driving a big truck, windows down, radio is up, singing at the top of our lungs listening to good God-given country music. Skyeler and Ryan always miss out.” Soverns remarked.
Johnny Cash and other country covers can sometimes be heard at a Sword 7 show, but are usually done as a joke. Lewkowicz said, “We believe in having fun, with each other and the crowd. I make Travis apologize for the hee-haw music.”
In 2004, Sword 7 released "It Doesn't Matter", an independent release with a message aimed at letting people know certain things in life don't matter. "There is no single message for the CD," commented Soverns.
"I guess the message for the title track carries through the whole Album." Lewkowicz added, "Frustrations, worries, and doubts fail to accomplish anything in life.”
In 2007 Sword 7 started recording both a music video and a new album with plans to release it in Fall 2007.
"No matter how big your stage you should use that responsibility positively,” Lewkowicz said, “We want to have fun and everyone who sees us to have fun, and we don't want to ruin that experience with a worthless message."
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